Opinion: The pace of hope in Nigeria’s democracy

by Abubakar Umar Jikanya’u

 

Nigeria-map

 

Could this mean that Nigerians are awake from the long sleep to realize and respond to the existing political reality surrounding them or could it be part of a great conspiracy geared by interest against the present government?

The change of tune in the politics of Nigeria has immensely reshuffle the dancing structure of the key players and the usual path of the democratic practice in the country. The current happenings in the politics play and governance indicates that the country is moving towards another direction from its usual and long practiced system of governance. The alarming question however is, what path is the country steering to? The path of progress, success and democratic development or the other way round?

For the past few months there has been a kind of political and administrative drama within the government and its organs, political parties, government agencies, organizations and other concern individuals ranging from open letters, unveiling of corrupt practices, political party cross carpeting, bills controversy and pressure movements. Could these mean that Nigerians are awake from the long sleep to realize and respond to the existing political reality surrounding them or could it be part of a great conspiracy geared by interest against the present government?

Even though the latter may have some elements of truth, the former is however more realistic as some of the blows are thrown free of any political acceleration but by the exigencies of time which has awaken the spirit of true democracy within Nigerians. As in the words of Francois Rabelais, a French writer, doctor and a humanist; that “it is my feeling that time ripens all things; with time all things are revealed; time is the father of truth.”

The uprising of another strong political party All People’s Congress (APC) to stand against the long ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has indeed led to some kind of political rivalry, competition and criticism which to some extent will pave a way to a healthy democracy as both political party’s are trying to show their capability to serve right the democracy Nigerians have been longing for quite long.The reaction of Nigerians to the recent crisis in the aviation sector of the country is indeed a pointer as to how Nigerians are craving for true democracy. Kudos to the whistle blower of the abuse of office by the former minister of aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah. Kudos to people like Femi Falana, SAN and other concern Nigerians who refused to blind their sight to the unwarranted action of the former minister. This event was only to be followed again with another discovery of the former ministers false claim of obtaining a Masters degree from a U.S University who equally refuted same.The above facts coupled with so many pressure on the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has seen the former minister out of office on the 12th February, 2014 together with 3 other ministers.

Nigerians are however still waiting with kin interest and a great suspense on the possible action Mr. President plans to take regarding a whistle blown by the CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Ever since the issue of the missing $20 Billion was unfolded, neither the President nor any of the federal government agency with the appropriate responsibility like the EFCC and ICPC has taken any step to trace the root and the actual status of the fund.I quote Mr. President from page 10 of the This Day newspaper of 13thFebruary, 2014 as saying; “ICPC and EFCC must make Nigerians believe that they are working.

I know what you are doing but not everybody knows what you are doing. Ordinarily, these are agencies whose activities are not suppose to be made too loud because you don’t celebrate a situation where you send 100 0r 200 Nigerians to prison.”I believe Nigerians have every right and are indeed suppose to know the activities of the said agencies with results. That at least will give them peace of mind. The declaration by the EFCC that it will make it result on Oduah’s case sounds encouraging. So there is no point saying the activities of the above agencies are not suppose to be made too loud because Nigerians need results.

Perhaps, Mr. President should cast his mind as to the trust and confidence Nigerians have on him and equally the promise and Oath he has taken to the effect that he will discharge his duties to the best of his ability, faithfully and in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That he will not allow his personal interest to influence his official conduct or his official decisions.

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

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